How did I, an Onmyoji, become the Lord of Yokai?

Upon receiving a definite answer, the boy was immediately overjoyed and prepared to get up to pack his luggage. However, just as he stood up, Shimizu Mio called him back.

"Wait, Chaoyang, don't rush. Even if we set off, you need to know where the Sea of ​​Immortality is first."

The sound made Shimizu Asahi pause in his steps. He blinked blankly for a moment before realizing what was happening.

Yes, it seems he doesn't know where his wife's other family is located.

The boy rubbed his head and sat down again.

"Sorry, sister, I got a little excited."

After calming herself down, Shimizu Asahi continued, "Does your sister know where the Sea of ​​Immortality is?"

"Hmm, I don't know."

The girl spread her hands, looking helpless, while the boy opened his mouth slightly and said "Eh" as if he hadn't heard her clearly.

"Chaoyang, the Sea of ​​Immortality is a mysterious place that exists in legends. Unlike places like the Ghost Realm or the Asura Path, it is a home known only to the Mermaid Clan. Without a Mermaid to guide you, no one can get there."

Mio Shimizu's words made Asahi Shimizu frown in distress.

"Can a mermaid lead the way to the Sea of ​​Immortality? But Lingzi is the only mermaid in the last few hundred years that has been recognized. Apart from her, there is no news of any other mermaids. Where can I find another mermaid?"

"...Could it be that even my sister can't find the Sea of ​​Immortality?"

"The Sea of ​​Immortality is surrounded by barriers and possesses the power of tides. It is a race that controls the sea. Even I cannot find the Sea of ​​Immortality in the ocean."

Shimizu Mio gently shook her head, indicating that she was powerless to help.

It wasn't that Shimizu Mio was unwilling to help Shimizu Asahi, but rather that she was truly powerless to do so.

The mermaid race relies on the sea and lives at the edge of the sea. As the lord of Takamagahara, she governs so many places, how could she possibly know everything? Moreover, at that time, she wouldn't care too much about any place except Takamagahara, so it's only natural that she couldn't find the Sea of ​​Immortality.

"Looks like we'll have to think of something..."

The boy rubbed his head and gave a helpless laugh.

Although we've found a very strong possibility, we don't even know where the destination is... It's really frustrating.

"Oh, no need to be in such a hurry, Chaoyang. I have already foreseen the day you will reunite. I believe we will find the Sea of ​​Immortality soon."

The God of Fate patted his chest to comfort him, while Shimizu Asahi took a deep breath and nodded, indicating that he understood.

"Yes, I know. I'll ask my teacher tomorrow, and if that doesn't work, I'll ask Lady Tamamo-no-Mae... They should all have heard of the Sea of ​​Immortality."

......

The next day, Shimizu Asahi went to the Yin-Yang Bureau early in the morning to find Kamo Tadashi.

Upon learning that his disciple wanted to find the Sea of ​​Immortality, he shared all that he knew about it, but he himself did not know where the Sea of ​​Immortality was.

In his youth, out of curiosity and longing, he once went out to sea to search for it, but he drifted at sea for several months without finding anything and had to return empty-handed.

After that, Shimizu Asahi sought out Abe no Masatsugu, Tamamo-no-Mae, and even Saiō, but still failed to obtain the location of the Sea of ​​Immortality.

The place was too mysterious; many people had heard of it, but almost no one had actually been there, and everyone was at a loss.

Just when Shimizu Asahi was feeling helpless and at his wit's end, the God of Fate suddenly gave him a good idea.

Go find Susanoo!

As the god of the sea, Susanoo, who governs the ocean, should know of the existence of the Sea of ​​Immortality. Even if he didn't know, he should be able to use his power over the sea to explore it.

If he were to ask, Susanoo, as his older brother, would certainly not refuse to help, even if it's troublesome.

This idea delighted Shimizu Asahi. Indeed, although so many people didn't know, Susanoo certainly did.

Why didn't I think of that?

After joyfully thanking the god of predestined union, Shimizu Asahi immediately packed his things and prepared to set off for Izumo Taisha Shrine.

But just then, he suddenly received another message.

Kamo no Tadayuki sent someone to tell him that people who could gain immortality by eating mermaid flesh... had appeared outside Heian-kyo! Chapter 503, Section 500: Eight Hundred Bhikkhunis

Phoenix Forest, located south of Heian-kyo, is said to be the habitat of phoenixes. Once, a phoenix flew by, and the firelight it left behind illuminated all directions. People were attracted by the dazzling light and gathered in this forest.

They took root and grew here, passing down their traditions for hundreds of years.

To commemorate the phoenix, they built the Phoenix Shrine in the forest and continue to worship there.

However, as time went by, the Phoenix Shrine gradually declined.

Those who did not receive the phoenix's blessing again forgot about this shrine.

But just a few days ago, the people in Phoenix Forest suddenly discovered that a chilling wind was blowing from the Phoenix Shrine.

The cold and eerie atmosphere was somewhat terrifying, and the people dared not approach the place, fearing that it might be attacked by monsters. So they reported it to Heian-kyo, hoping that Heian-kyo would send someone to deal with the matter.

Heian-kyo, having just experienced a major battle, was short-handed, and even the Onmyoji students on leave were called in to carry out the mission. This time, the mission in Phoenix Forest was to be carried out by Hagoromo and Seimei together.

The two arrived outside the Phoenix Shrine and found that it was covered by an array. The cold aura swallowed up the surrounding temperature, and even the Phoenix Fire, which had always lived in the Phoenix Shrine, was driven out by this power.

As an aside, phoenix fire is formed from the flames of phoenixes. They gain life from the flames and then burn themselves continuously until they die.

It is a kind of monster that is destined to die from birth.

Even so, Phoenix Fire is the flame of the divine beast Phoenix, possessing the power of the Phoenix, which is incomparable to that of ordinary monsters.

Such a being was expelled from the Phoenix Shrine, which suggests that Phoenix Forest must have encountered a powerful yokai this time.

Taking a cautious approach, Seimei and Hagoromo entered the Phoenix Shrine, where they encountered a woman.

A woman with black hair and blue eyes, dressed in a red and white robe like a priestess, holding a staff.

She said she was a fortune teller who could predict many things. She also said that she ate mermaid flesh, gained mermaid memories, and was able to travel to the Sea of ​​Immortality...

Seimei and Hagoromo became alert at that moment. Everyone already knew that Shimizu Asahi wanted to go to the Sea of ​​Immortality to find his wife, but "everyone" referred to those close to Shimizu Asahi. Apart from them, no one else knew at all.

Did this woman in front of me learn about this through divination?

If that's the case, then why did she choose to date Shimizu Asahi?

Is it simply to send Qing Shui Chao Yang to the Sea of ​​Immortality?

No...it shouldn't be, and besides, why would she help Chaoyang?

There must be something else going on here.

The news that she had come to them on her own initiative did not make the two happy. The cold aura and mysterious feeling she exuded made them feel that this woman was up to no good.

However, there was no other way; the Sea of ​​Immortality was too important to Shimizu Asahi. After hesitating for a long time, they finally told Shimizu Asahi the news.

So today, a guest has arrived in this Phoenix Forest, which is surrounded by a cold and gloomy atmosphere.

"Is this... Phoenix Shrine? Although it has been in chaos for a long time, it doesn't feel deserted."

"The Phoenix Fire has been protecting this place very well."

The dark-haired boy gently scanned the building before him with his dark eyes and murmured softly.

"Then... let's go in."

Taking a deep breath, the boy stepped into the shrine gate.

There is no difference between the inside and outside of the shrine. If you really want to say something, it's that the atmosphere inside is much stronger than the atmosphere outside.

Even in the clear water and bright sunshine, there was a hint of coldness.

Stepping onto the unfamiliar ground, he quickly arrived at the worship hall, and before he even stepped inside, he saw a figure.

A slender figure with long black hair knelt inside the worship hall.

"You are Lady Yaobikuni?"

The boy stepped into the hall, and his clear voice rang out.

Upon hearing the sound, the kneeling figure slowly rose, the black-haired woman picked up the scepter beside her, and smiled as she looked at Shimizu Asahi.

"Yes, I am Yaobikuni. You must be Lord Shimizu Asahi, who has come here to find me."

"Nice to meet you, Lord Shimizu."

"You're too kind, Lady Yaobikuni. Just call me Shimizu; there's no need for honorifics."

Shimizu Asahi smiled back and pointed to the cushion on the ground, saying, "Lady Yaobikuni, let's sit down and talk."

"Ah."

"However, since Lady Shimizu said that honorifics are not required, then Lady Shimizu can just call me Yaobikuni."

Yaobikuni sat down with Shimizu Asahi and said bluntly, "I already know Shimizu-sama's purpose, and I do know the location of the Sea of ​​Immortality, but I can't recall it completely yet."

"Does not being able to recall everything mean we have to wait a while longer?"

The boy murmured softly, then asked a question in a low voice.

"No, I can only remember it when I see Lady Suzuka."

"Do you know the story that eating the flesh of the merfolk can grant immortality?"

"Yes, many people have probably heard this story, but there are practically no people who have eaten mermaid flesh. I only found out today that such people really exist."

"Yes... People know that eating mermaid flesh can grant immortality, but how many people have actually eaten mermaid flesh?"

Perhaps recalling the moment she ate mermaid flesh, this exquisite woman, exuding a chilling aura, let out a sigh.

"Eight hundred years have passed since I ate the mermaid's flesh. I don't even know how much I've experienced. So-called immortality isn't necessarily a good thing..."

Shimizu Asahi blinked gently without saying anything, while Yaobikuni, after a sigh, returned to normal and continued, "Sorry, I was a little sentimental."

"Regarding what I just mentioned about meeting Lady Suzuka, it's mainly because eating mermaid flesh will grant you immortality and the mermaid's memories."

"As long as you follow your memories, you can go to the Sea of ​​Immortality. However, because I have lived for too long, I can no longer remember many things clearly, and even the memory of going to the Sea of ​​Immortality is blurred."

"I can recall half of the journey, but that's all. I can't remember the other half no matter what."

"I am unable to help Lord Shimizu in his current state."

"However, there is an attraction between mermaids. As long as they meet, they can resonate with each other. With the power of resonance, I can recall the location of the Sea of ​​Immortality..." Chapter 504 Changing Destination, Underworld!

"Is that so...?"

With a soft murmur, Shimizu Asahi wasn't too disappointed. When he came, Hagoromo and Seimei had warned him that the woman inside was no ordinary person, and that she must have something else to discuss with him, so he had to be careful.